Articles Tagged With: FICO Score

February 17, 2015

FHA Loan Questions: Student Loans, Delinquency, and Credit Reports

A reader asks, “I co signed a student loan in 2004 and the student loan went delinquent on February 2008. When will it come off my credit report? And will I be able to apply for a fha loan after it comes off?” To get the answer about when a student loan delinquency might come off a credit report, the reader will need to contact the credit reporting agencies to see what standards may apply. There are three major credit reporting agencies and a potential borrower would need to contact all three. The agencies are Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. If the borrower’s credit rating is sufficient, and the derogatory credit information no longer shows up on the credit report, it’s entirely possible that the borrower might be able to successfully | more...

February 4, 2015

FHA Mortgage Rate Trends

By Joe Wallace

FHA mortgage loan interest rates have been holding at best execution levels of 3.25% for quite some time, and that’s despite ups and downs for 30-year fixed rate conventional mortgages. Late last week we saw rates for 30-year fixed rate conventional mortgages head, best executionwise, close to 3.5% for the most qualified borrowers. Overseas financial developments have helped keep rates as low as they’ve been–it’s a good idea to pay attention to the situation in Greece and news of the European Central Bank. These are factors that can affect rates in the short term depending on investor reaction to breaking news. On Monday of this week, those rates held steady more or less in spite of some lenders repricing higher, and on Tuesday it looked like the reversal of a | more...

January 24, 2015

FHA Loan Rules for FICO Scores and Applications Post-Bankruptcy

By Joe Wallace

A reader asks, “What are the credit score and requirements to qualify for a FHA loan? Also, we filed bankruptcy over a year ago, what are the time limits of being discharged before someone can qualify for a FHA loan? Thank you in advance.” FHA loan rules for FICO score minimums are included on the FHA official site at www.FHA.gov. There is a chart there that breaks down the required minimum FICO scores for minimum financing, basic FHA loan program eligibility (with a higher down payment due to lower FICO scores) and cases where the FICO score does not qualify for an FHA home loan. Here is that chart: Note that FHA FICO score requirements are MINIMUMS. The lender may have higher standards. In fact, borrowers may find many lenders | more...

January 13, 2015

FHA Loans, Recent Major Credit Purchases, and FICO Scores

By Joe Wallace

A reader asks, “I have a credit score of about 590, have some old stuff on my credit, which has been cleared up but still showing. Im looking for a $100,000 loan and have $8k to put down. I just last week got financed for a newer car, what are the chances I qualify for the FHA program since I am a first time home buyer?” FHA minimum FICO score requirements for maximum financing aren’t necessarily the same as the lender’s minimums–the lender is free to require a FICO score higher than the FHA minimum of 580 for maximum financing on a new purchase FHA mortgage loan. The credit report issue is also something the lender would have to address on a case-by-case basis. Depending on circumstances and the presence | more...

December 9, 2014

FHA Loan Credit Issues: A Reader Question On Disputed Accounts

By Joe Wallace

A reader asks, “I would like to know how to get an FHA loan, I had a Bankruptcy discharged in Aug. 2010. This is my problem I got a credit card to improve my credit score. I was paying faithfully, then another card company that I already had Two that company. I was paying faithfully on those accounts also.” “Well when the credit company took over that account I didn’t realize I now had 3 accounts with that bank. Another reason I didn’t know was, I moved and one statement was going to the old address. When the two statements came . So I would go onto the computer and pay my 2 accounts..My problem is on my credit report shows 30,60,30,60, 90 days late. What can I do to | more...

December 4, 2014

FHA Mortgage Loan Rate Trends

By Joe Wallace

The Thanksgiving holiday interrupted several days worth of falling mortgage loan rates. We saw gains over six business days (holiday weekend falling in between some of those days) with best execution interest rates moving back into the high three percent zone for 30-year fixed rate conventional mortgage rates. FHA rates benefited as well,–FHA mortgage rates fell (best execution) to 3.25%, and while in many cases we see FHA loan interest rates having a hard time breaking out of a comfort zone at the same time conventional rates change, December 1st saw FHA mortgage loan rates drop from the previous business day’s best execution rate of 3.5%, but would eventually settle into a range of numbers. FHA mortgage loan rates moved into that range of best execution rates following some upward | more...

November 13, 2014

FHA Loan Credit Issues: A Reader Question

By Joe Wallace

A reader asks, “I am in the process of trying to rebuild my credit, but am finding it difficult to acquire in my own name. I have a bankruptcy discharged in Feb 2013. I make all utility, insurance and rent payments on time or within the allotted grace period. Altho I am financially responsible, I feel it may not reflect in my credit report with few or no recent accounts reporting…” “What length of time will impact my credit report/score with credit card usage?? …My mother recently obtained a small auto loan (on my behalf) thru a credit union to get the most affordable rate & payment option. She has me listed as co-signer, will this also report on my credit & impact my payment history & score as if | more...

November 12, 2014

FHA Mortgage Rate Trends: Up and Down

By Joe Wallace

Since our last report on FHA mortgage rate trends, we’ve seen some ups and down with mortgage loan rates in general, but the overall trend seems to be upward. Last Friday was a highly anticipated jobs report, and ahead of that last Thursday we saw rates hold steady. After the report came out on Friday mortgage loan rates did gain back some of the ground lost earlier in the week, but come Monday those gains began slipping away again. Tuesday was Veterans Day so markets were closed and there was no rate movement to report–but on Wednesday it was a bit of false hope to start the day with rates beginning stronger but ultimately weakening by day’s end. What does all this mean? At the time of this writing, 30-year | more...

November 7, 2014

FHA Loan FICO Score Requirements: A Reader Question

By Joe Wallace

A reader asks, “I have a question on the down payment assistance and credit scores. We have credit scores that average to 640 and 620. Our lender has asked us to either raise our scores or have a 2 month reserve in addition to our 3.5% down payment as a requirement for FHA/HUD is this standard?” FHA loan rules do specify a minimum FICO score for borrowers who want to qualify for the lowest down payment of 3.5%. That FICO score is 580. However, lender standards can and often are higher than that number. FHA loan rules do not prevent the lender from have more strict standards as long as they are applied in compliance with federal law, Fair Housing Act regulations, etc. Individual borrower circumstances can and often do | more...

November 4, 2014

FHA FICO Score Minimums: A Reader Question

By Joe Wallace

A reader asks, “If I only need a fico score of 580 to qualify for a FHA loan, why would my (lender name deleted) agent tell me that I need 600 score before he could preapprove me for a mortgage loan?” This reader question reveals a common misconception about the FHA single-family home loan program. It is true that the FHA does list a minimum FICO score for borrowers–borrowers who have FICO scores below 580 won’t qualify for the lowest downpayment amount of 3.5% and borrowers with scores below 500 don’t qualify at all. However, these score requirements are the FHA minimums, not the lender’s standards. Lender FICO scores can and do vary from the FHA loan rules–they can be more strict than the FHA loan rulebook’s own FICO requirements. | more...